42: On Providence By Seneca [Part 2]
In this episode, we continue to look at what Seneca has to say to his friend Lucillius about Providence. He says here that excellence cannot be arrived at without struggle and adversity.
Oct 17, 2021•7 min
The Cheerful Stoic
Juan C. Torres
The podcast where we read, meditate, and reflect on the ancient Stoic philosophers.
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Episodes
41: On Providence By Seneca [Part 1]
In this episode, we introduce and present the central question behind Seneca’s On Providence, the theodicy question. “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
Oct 10, 2021•9 min
40: Podcast Update for Future Episodes
In this episode, I respond to Steve, a faithful listener from India, and then talk about upcoming episodes.
Oct 08, 2021•5 min
39: Meditations 11.7
In this episode, we take a look at one of Marcus Aurelius master Stoic principles: embracing your lot in life as the ground and path for growth in virtue.
Aug 24, 2021•5 min
38: Interview with Michael McGill
In this episode, I chat with Michael McGill. He’s a fellow Stoic I’ve met on Twitter. He shares with me how he came to learn about and practice Stoicism. He gives excellent advice to both new and mature practitioners. He has an excellent newsletter where you can keep up with his latest thoughts, resources, and insights. Sign up here: http://www.michaeldmcgill.com/newsletter/
Jun 23, 2021•48 min•Ep. 38
37: Embrace your Fate
In this episode, I read and talk about Meditations 7.57, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us to embrace all our experiences as uniquely suited to us. This is a Stoic master principle for all who seek to live the virtuous life.
Jun 19, 2021•4 min•Ep. 37
36: Interview with Ben Wood, Quaker Theologian and Philosopher
In this episode, Ben and I talk (amongst other things) about daily Stoic practice, Quakers and ancient philosophy, the freedom of the will (and grace), Stoics and the irrational and much more besides!
Jun 15, 2021•1 hr
35: It is in your power always and everywhere…
Marcus Aurelius reminds us to accept our lot in life, to deal justly with the people in our lives, and to closely monitor our thoughts so that we can live according to nature.
Jun 07, 2021•5 min
34: On Seneca’s Letters to Lucilius #41
Seneca reminds us that we are rational animals. Virtue is the only good pursuing.
Feb 11, 2021•5 min
33: Stoicism is like Yoga for the mind
In this episode I read Meditations 2.2 and make some brief comments.
Feb 03, 2021•5 min
32: Book Review of :: A Field Guide to a Happy Life ::
In this episode, I give a brief review of Massimo Piggliucci’s latest book. https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Happy-Life-Lessons/dp/1541646932
Oct 03, 2020•10 min
31: Strange, Noble, and Sad
In this episode I go over my favorite description of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, as found in the preface of the Penguin Classics edition.
Sep 14, 2020•13 min
30: On the Charge of Hypocrisy
Seneca defends himself (and the rest of philosophers) from the charge of being hypocrites and from failing to practice what they preach.
Sep 06, 2020•10 min
29: How Stoics should deal with impressions
Epictetus reminds his students that good and evil are determined not by external events but by our interpretation and reaction to them. Discourses 3.8 + Enchiridion 1
Sep 01, 2020•10 min
28: Stoics ought be kind!
Kindness is a virtue related to that of justice. As Stoics, we must aim higher than simply speaking truth. We must speak truth kindly. We must not mistake kindness with weakness.
Aug 24, 2020•4 min
27: Are you able to be your own enjoyable company?
Socrates and Seneca reminds us that if we are philosophically healthy we should be able to enjoy our own company.
Aug 15, 2020•5 min
26: On Preferred and Dispreferred Indifferents
There is virtue, there is vice, and then there is everything else, which is labeled either Preferred Indifferents or Dispreferred Indifferents. In today’s episode we explore a passage on these by Seneca.
Aug 09, 2020•9 min
25: You are never too busy to be a Stoic!
Meditations 8.8 :: Marcus Aurelius reminds himself here that even in the days where he lacks the time for reading, he does not lack the opportunities to work on his character!
Aug 05, 2020•4 min
24: Interview with Don (@rockyrooktweets) from Stoic Twitter!
In this episode I interview Don, one of the best kept secrets of Stoic Twitter. There are a couple of minor audio issues here, but it's still a wonderful interview. Enjoy! Mentioned links: https://www.collegeofstoicphilosophers.org/index.php/subjects Don's twitter account: https://twitter.com/rockyrooktweets
Jul 26, 2020•44 min
23: Enchiridion 23
Epictetus reminds us once again to care nothing for what others think, but to be the best philosophers we can be and rest with our own opinion of ourselves.
Jul 23, 2020•3 min
22: Putting the threefold Stoic Curriculum to work!
Marcus Aurelius admonishes himself to *practice* the Stoic curriculum 😋
Jul 21, 2020•5 min
21: Watch out with your initial impressions!
Marcus Aurelius reminds us we can more consistently enjoy peace if we see to it that our first impressions don’t lead us astray!
Jul 21, 2020•5 min
20: Good Stoics seek friends, but are prepared to stay on the path even without them.
In Letter 9 of Letters from a Stoic, Seneca talks at length about how Stoics should view friendship.
Jul 18, 2020•7 min
19: Prolong Your Stay with the Proven Authors!
Excerpts from Seneca’s Letter #2 to Lucilius. || Music: Nightchaser by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Jul 16, 2020•3 min
18: Nothing better than justice, truth, wisdom, and courage!
Meditations 3:6 from Marcus Aurelius!
Jul 15, 2020•2 min
17: Don’t Abandon Philosophy!
A meditation on Meditations 9.41 from Marcus Aurelius
Jul 09, 2020•6 min
16: Don’t Put Off until Tomorrow what You Can Do Today
We continue looking at Seneca’s advice in his 1st letter to Lucilius. Amongs other things, here Seneca advises to not procrastinate and to do today what he is tempted to put off until tomorrow.
Jun 18, 2020•1 min
15: Embrace Every Hour
In this episode, we take a look at Seneca’s advice to his friend Lucilius on the subject of time management.
Jun 17, 2020•3 min
14: Black Lives Matter
Here is the link for community bail funds. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bail_funds_george_floyd
Jun 02, 2020•4 min
13: Meditations 5.31
Marcus Aurelius exhorts us to wrong no one and to deal kindly with all we come into contact with.
May 30, 2020•2 min
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